Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated

Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures is a major studio distributor undergoing a strategic reset under David Ellison, pivoting hard toward high-level IP, four-quadrant franchises, and a dramatically expanded theatrical slate.

Current mandate

Paramount Pictures is in the middle of its most consequential strategic realignment in recent memory. David Ellison completed an $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance, gaining control of the studio's film franchises and immediately signaling a departure from the mid-scale, prestige-adjacent programming of the prior regime. The new direction, described across multiple trade sources as a strategic reset, moves the studio decisively toward high-level IP and four-quadrant franchises built for broad theatrical audiences. Ellison has publicly stated a goal of producing 20 films a year, with an accelerated timetable to reach 15 films in the near term. A first-look producing deal with Jon M. Chu, inked in early 2026, signals the kind of filmmaker relationships the studio is now cultivating.

Acquisition activity over the past 12 months reflects this mandate in concrete terms. The studio moved quickly on a live-action "Call of Duty" feature with Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg attached, less than a month after the Skydance deal closed. The release slate is now populated with franchise sequels and installments including "Scream 7," "Scary Movie 6," "Sonic the Hedgehog 4," "TMNT: Mutant Mayhem 2," "Angry Birds Movie 3," "Meet the Parents 4," and "PAW Patrol 3," with several dated through 2027. Paramount also pre-emptively acquired the original horror thriller script "Familiar" by Julien Magnat, and picked up the Colleen Hoover adaptation "Regretting You," indicating continued appetite for IP-adjacent literary material alongside franchise development. The horror genre, IP adaptations from bestselling novels, and genre-savvy filmmakers with franchise experience are all flagged as current content priorities. Separately, Paramount has partnered with Warner Music Group to actively seek theatrical film projects based on performing artists.

Material reaches Paramount through established industry channels. Every tracked deal in the ScriptMatch dataset came through producer attachments, sales agents, or existing studio relationships; the Jon M. Chu first-look deal is a representative example of how the studio structures ongoing creative partnerships. Paramount has also publicly announced its Warner Music Group partnership as a named, checkable avenue for music-artist-driven projects, making that one of the few documented open pathways for producers with relevant IP. No unsolicited submission pathway is documented in ScriptMatch's tracking data.

Signature peaks

  • 20 Films/Year Annual Output Target — Ellison has stated a goal of 20 films annually, with 15 targeted in the near term.
  • 7 Titles Through 2027 Franchise Sequels Slated — Scream 7, Sonic 4, TMNT 2, Scary Movie 6, Angry Birds 3, Meet the Parents 4, and PAW Patrol 3 are all dated.
  • Familiar Horror Script Pre-Buy — Paramount pre-emptively acquired the original horror thriller script by Julien Magnat in mid-2024.

Mandate dimensions

Genre focus
horror
Territory focus
domestic
Budget tier (observed)
Not disclosed
Access pattern
Every deal tracked by ScriptMatch at Paramount moved through producer attachments, sales agents, or existing studio relationships such as first-look producing deals; the Jon M. Chu first-look arrangement is a representative example. Paramount's publicly announced partnership with Warner Music Group is a named, checkable avenue for theatrical projects based on performing artists, making it one of the few documented open pathways for producers with relevant IP.
Deal structure
Paramount structures activity across direct development deals, pre-emptive script acquisitions, first-look producing arrangements, and distribution agreements for third-party productions such as the Spyglass-produced "Heart Eyes 2"; the studio also finances select productions outright, as it did with "80 for Brady" at $28 million.

Recent acquisitions

  • Call of Duty (live-action feature film adaptation)

    2025-10-30T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

  • Familiar

    2024-07-18T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired
    Paramount Pictures has pre-emptively bought the original horror thriller script Familiar by Julien Magnat.

  • First-look producing deal with Jon M. Chu

    2026-01-02T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

  • Heart Eyes 2

    2026-04-22T00:00:00.000Z · greenlit
    Spyglass' Heart Eyes 2 is getting a release of Feb. 11, 2028 through Paramount

  • Here Be Monsters

    2025-09-19T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

  • Regretting You

    2024-09-13T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

  • Scary Movie 6

    2025-11-12T00:00:00.000Z · Acquired

Market context

With an $8 billion Skydance merger closed and a target of 15 films a year on the near horizon, Paramount is rebuilding its theatrical identity around franchise IP at a pace not seen in years.

Paramount Pictures is in the middle of its most consequential strategic realignment in recent memory. David Ellison completed an $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance, gaining control of the studio's film franchises and immediately signaling a departure from the mid-scale, prestige-adjacent programming of the prior regime. The new direction, described across multiple trade sources as a strategic reset, moves the studio decisively toward high-level IP and four-quadrant franchises built for broad theatrical audiences. Ellison has publicly stated a goal of producing 20 films a year, with an accelerated timetable to reach 15 films in the near term. A first-look producing deal with Jon M. Chu, inked in early 2026, signals the kind of filmmaker relationships the studio is now cultivating.

Common questions about Paramount Pictures

Does Paramount Pictures accept unsolicited scripts?

ScriptMatch's tracking data does not document any unsolicited submission pathway at Paramount. Every deal observed in the dataset moved through producer attachments, sales agents, or existing studio relationships such as first-look deals. The one publicly named open avenue is Paramount's partnership with Warner Music Group, which is actively seeking theatrical projects based on performing artists. Producers with music-artist IP should treat that as a documented entry point worth pursuing.

What budget range does Paramount Pictures typically work at?

Paramount's current strategic reset is oriented toward high-level IP and four-quadrant franchise tentpoles, which typically carry significant production budgets. The studio also retains appetite for lower-cost genre acquisitions: the horror romance 'Heart Eyes 2' carries a budget under $25 million, and the original horror script 'Familiar' was acquired without a disclosed budget. The studio financed '80 for Brady' at $28 million, suggesting mid-range genre films remain viable alongside the larger franchise slate.

What festivals does Paramount source films from?

ScriptMatch's current tracking data does not document a consistent festival acquisition pattern for Paramount in the most recent cycle. The studio's activity is concentrated in direct development, franchise sequels, and pre-emptive script acquisitions rather than festival pickups. Producers positioning a completed film for a major festival should note that Paramount's current mandate prioritizes IP with proven audience bases, which may favor projects with existing literary or franchise pedigree over festival-circuit discoveries.

How do I get my script in front of Paramount Pictures?

The most documented route is through a producer or sales agent with an existing studio relationship. Paramount's first-look deal with Jon M. Chu illustrates how the studio structures ongoing creative partnerships. The Warner Music Group partnership is a named, publicly announced avenue for projects based on performing artists. For horror and genre material, the pre-emptive acquisition of 'Familiar' shows the studio will move quickly on original scripts when the right producer or agent brings them in.

What genres is Paramount Pictures currently acquiring?

Horror is explicitly flagged as a current content priority, alongside IP adaptations from bestselling novels and projects with genre-savvy filmmakers who have franchise experience. The studio is also actively seeking theatrical films based on performing artists via its Warner Music Group partnership. Four-quadrant family franchises, exemplified by 'Sonic the Hedgehog' and 'PAW Patrol,' are the strategic centerpiece of the Ellison-era slate, with darker or more adult-skewing takes reportedly deprioritized in favor of broader appeal.

Is Paramount Pictures currently active in the market?

Yes. ScriptMatch tracks 269 total records over the past 12 months and 248 decision makers at the studio, with the latest signal dated July 2026. The Skydance merger closed and was followed almost immediately by the 'Call of Duty' deal with Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg. A first-look deal with Jon M. Chu was signed in early 2026. Multiple franchise titles are dated through 2027, and 'Heart Eyes 2' received a 2028 release date through Paramount, indicating active forward planning well into the next production cycle.

Adjacent buyers in this lane

  • Beta Cinema — Beta Cinema is a Munich-based international sales agent specializing in arthouse and literary-adapta
  • Starz — Starz is a premium cable and streaming network doubling down on wholly owned scripted drama and inte
  • Cineflix Rights — Cineflix Rights is a genre-focused international distributor and co-production financier specializin
  • Filmax — Filmax is a Spanish distributor and co-producer with a long track record in genre cinema, currently

Related reading

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